Wings of Wonder: Accessibility for all who want to travel
Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — The Rapid City Regional Airport partnered with local organizations for Wings of Wonder.
The event's goal is to help people with disabilities easily navigate the airport from the moment they park their car until they find their seat on the plane.
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The Rapid City Regional Airport has steps in place to make sure everyone feels welcome. Sunflower lanyards help identify people with hidden disabilities who might need the same assistance.
'We wanted to get involved in that early, many airports across the country are now involved in that, it all looks the same. To the traveling public, when they show up and they've got that lanyard on, it's a cue to those folks who are working here that they may need some extra care,' Rapid City Airport director Patrick Dame said.
These lanyards will help airport employees in baggage and the terminal, along with TSA members so they can assist those with both visible and hidden disabilities.
'They're going to take things a little bit slower in the explanation process. So sometimes with checking in, that helps. Trying to get your seats and your baggage all checked in, that is a stressful process for someone with disabilities,' Disability Awareness and Accessibility Committee Member Tony Russell said.
'You know, from the airport's vantage point we need to be here for everybody. And if there are folks that need a little extra out of it, we want to make sure we're getting them the experience that they need,' Dame said.
The Rapid City Disability Awareness and Accessibility Committee works to make sure everyone in the air has access in everyday life.
'Advocating for those people with disabilities and helping make some of these processes easier on us so we can enjoy reaping that, not only everything the beautiful Black Hills has to offer but we can get out and travel and see what other great things are out there,' Russell said.
To be able to participate in the Sunflower Lanyard Program, all you have to do is ask an employee for one near the rentals before starting your journey.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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